Climate & Environment Team

Climate & Environment are key issues identified by Minuteman Indivisible.

As our Team Charter specifies, the goal of this team is to be the knowledge base on those issues for the larger group so that together we can affect the retention and expansion of pre-Trump commitments on the Climate and the Environment.  
Other groups working on these issues
314 Action
350MA
Citizens Climate Lobby
Climate XChange
Massachusetts Climate Action Network
Actions that you  can take
Environmental Defense Fund

Climate & Environment Team Documents
1st Project: Massachusetts Carbon Pollution Pricing Campaign

What Is Carbon Pollution Pricing?

It is a fee charged by the state to companies that generate carbon emissions.  The money raised
  1. is returned to all residents equally as a cash rebate
  2. or is invested in clean energy initiatives
  3. or some combination of the two.

Does it Work?

Yes. Economists agree that pricing carbon pollution is the most cost-effective mechanism for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  It is working well, for example, in British Columbia.

Carbon Pricing Legislation in Massachusetts

There are currently two carbon pricing bills pending in the Massachusetts legislature, one in the House and one in the Senate.  The legislation is supported by a large coalition of environmental groups. These bills would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10%, would save hundreds of lives (by reducing other pollutants), and would save $2.9B in health benefits.  All without a tax increase! A similar carbon pricing bill failed to pass in 2016. Momentum for the bills is building in this legislative session, but a majority of state senators and representatives have not yet committed to support them.

WE NEED YOUR HELP TO SUPPORT THESE BILLS 

We need Massachusetts residents to contact their state Senators and Representatives —especially those not yet on board—at key moments to press for passage. Please fill out the form below if you are willing to help us.  We will email you the contact information for your  senator and representative, and when it's the right time to contact them.  Targeted pressure from Indivisibles and other groups may be the difference between this legislation passing or  failing.
Fill out my online form.